Minimal usable Ubuntu with one command

Posted seven years ago

If you install the default "ubuntu-desktop" you also get with it a gigabyte of crap that you will never use. But if you don't install the ubuntu desktop, you get a system with a text-only login: prompt, and it's not clear what to install to get it to a usable state.

I have an irrational need to optimize my Ubuntu installation. I did some investigating and came up with this method, which gives a minimal graphical 1.2 GB install, with gnome, networking, and no applications.

Install the base system

Use UNetBootin and create a usb key with the network install. (If you are still burning non-archival data-DVD's in the year 2010, you must also live in a cave.). Plug the computer directly into the network using an ethernet cable. Boot from the USB key and install ubuntu as usual, over the network. Using the network-install means you aren't even downloading the packages you aren't going to use. It also means you don't have to immediately update your system and re-download everything, because the network packages are already up to date.

When you get to the "task selection" screen with the option to install ubuntu base server, kubuntu, etc, do not change anything at all.

Install the minmal gnome

When installation completes and it boots up, you get a text-only system. Login and type the following command:

sudo apt-get install gnome-panel gdm gnome-terminal

This will install a graphical environment and the login screen, so it will let you login by clicking on your username.

When it completes, reboot using "sudo reboot", or if you are super-geeky, type in the secret command to avoid rebooting.

Tried something like this last night. The Ubuntu network install installs grub but does not give you the option of where to install it. It therefore installs it back to the USB key itself. Debian Network install has the same issue,.

Why don't just install a Debian base install? I use Ubuntu in some machines where I don't want to configure applications and such, just an out-of-the-box solution, and where I want customization I just use Debian...

If one apple costs $1, how much would five apples cost? How about 500? If everyday life, when you buy more of something, you get more bananas for your buck. But software companies are bucking the trend.

The challenge: Install Linux on a really old laptop. The catch: It has only 32 MB of RAM, no network ports, no CD-ROM, and the floppy drive makes creaking noises. Is it possible? Yes. Is it easy? No. Is is useful? Maybe...